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“Running Out of Space on Your Mac? Here’s How to Reclaim Storage”

Running Out of Space on Your Mac? Here’s How to Reclaim Storage

Is your Mac slowing down or showing “Your disk is almost full” warnings? When your storage is nearly maxed out, macOS may struggle to run smoothly. Fortunately, you can clear up valuable space with a few smart steps — and no third-party apps required.

🧹 Step 1: Clear System Storage Using Terminal

🖥️ Step 1: Open the Terminal App

  1. Press Command (⌘) + Space to launch Spotlight Search.
  2. Type Terminal, then press Enter to launch it.

2. Enter this command in Terminal

Copy the following command and paste it into Terminal, then press Return:

Terminal 
Click "Show Command" to reveal

This command safely removes cached files that can accumulate and take up significant space over time. It won’t delete personal data or important system files.

📁 Step 2: Remove Large Files Manually

Go to the Apple Menu → About This Mac → Storage tab. Click Manage to review what’s taking up space. Sort through large files, old downloads, and unused documents. Move what you can to an external drive or delete what you no longer need.

🗑️ Step 3: Empty the Trash

Sounds obvious, but many users forget this step. Right-click the Trash icon in the dock and choose Empty Trash. You can also enable automatic trash deletion in System Settings → General → Storage.

🌐 Step 4: Optimize Storage with Built-In Tools

Apple includes powerful storage management features:

  • Offload watched TV shows and movies.
  • Store photos in iCloud instead of locally.
  • Delete mail attachments after reading.

📦 Step 5: Clear Downloads Folder

The Downloads folder is often overlooked. Open Finder → Downloads and sort files by size. Remove installers, old PDFs, and duplicate files you no longer need.

🛠️ Step 6: Restart Your Mac

After clearing space, restart your Mac to let the system re-index and run more efficiently. You may notice improved performance right away.

Tip: Always double-check what you’re deleting. For system-related commands, avoid modifying files you’re not sure about — or back up your Mac first using Time Machine.